First Summer Edition Is Here☀️

This newsletter is the map that helps you navigate the Finnish entrepreneurial scene. Our goal is to keep you informed and connected with the latest funding news, insights, and must-attend events, regardless of the industry you build in.

 🥇Funded!

💥Startups to Watch

Inven | CEO Niilo Pirttijärvi | AI / B2B SaaS | Closed €11.2M to scale its AI M&A deal-sourcing platform used by 700+ investment firms. Now expanding into the U.S.

spogen.ai | CEO Joonas Koivuniemi | Industrial AI | Building hands-free voice assistants for tractor and machinery operators. Now live in pilot programs.

Volare | CEO Tuure Parviainen | Climate Tech / Foodtech | Refining food industry side streams into sustainable oil, protein and fertilizers.

📅Events You Can’t Miss

📚Learning Hub

Lenny’s Newsletter – State of the Product Job Market 2025 | A data-packed read for hiring strategy.

How to Start a Startup – Lecture 1: Startup Basics  | Hosted by Y Combinator, Sam Altman

HBR – 17 Team-Building Activities| From virtual coffee to storytelling circles, this toolkit helps hybrid and remote teams bond better.

📊Market Trends

Sustainable Foodtech Scales Up | As Volare raised €26M to build its facility for converting food waste into sustainable protein and oil, paired with government-backed clean energy loan programs (€437M+), Finland is quickly becoming a hub for circular economy innovation.

Medtech and Diagnostics Surge | With Hedera Dx closing a €15M Series A to expand its liquid biopsy platform and CurifyLabs raising €6.7M to automate personalized medication compounding, Medtech shows strong backing from public institutions like Business Finland.

Fintech Gain Ground | Wave Ventures, the Gen Z-led VC from Helsinki, announced its third fund at €7M to back first-time founders across the Nordics and Baltics.

🔎Policy Updates

Foreign Talent Job-Seeking Rule Tightens | Starting June 11, foreign startup employees must find a new job within 3 months of losing their role, or 6 months for high-earning specialists. Startup leaders warn this could threaten Finland’s competitiveness in attracting global tech talent.

Startup Grant Freeze Hits Founders | Municipal budget gaps have paused new starttiraha grants in regions like Central Uusimaa. Entrepreneurs already awarded funds will still receive them, but many early-stage founders are now left without this key financial lifeline.

Transport Projects Accelerated | Finland is fast-tracking €19M in infrastructure investments originally planned for 2026. This includes road and rail upgrades that could boost logistics.

🌟 Final Word: Looking Backwards Might Be the Only Way to Move Forward

In the endless pursuit of growth and scaling up, it’s easy to forget what sparked it all. But sometimes, the way forward isn’t to sprint ahead, but it is to pause and turn inward.

In moments of doubt, I highly recommend reconnecting with your journey's origin. Revisit the early notes, the first pitch deck, the conversations that made your vision burn bright. Your origin lights the way for your next leap.

🚀 Until Next Month!

Brought to you by Vlada Ermak

Special Thanks to the GC Club